So you finally did it! You have a brand new condo near the beach, everything you dreamed of… You went through the high and lows of buying Mexico real estate, the jitters and the cold feet of finally signing the paperwork and owning a beautiful home in the magical Riviera Maya.
Everything in Mexico is cheap, right?? You went looking for furniture stores in Playa del Carmen and almost had a heart attack when you saw the prices, wishing there was an Ikea close by and you could just furnish your home and be done with it!
There is one thing about the Caribbean that is never shown in the shiny brochures for properties. You live a few meters away from the beach, the humidity and the sea salt destroy many common furniture materials. Buying cheap furniture will probably backfire, as it will not withstand the elements and the heat: chromed metal, vinyl and MDF; will be rusted, peeling or rotting within a few months or a couple of years.
So what do when you need affordable furniture and your budget is tight? Think outside the box and visit Temozon, Yucatan.
The Mayans living in this area have had it right all along, the secret to furniture that last forever is to use hardwoods or cedar wood. This is a great location to shop for wood furniture and spend your hard earned money in something both cheap and durable.
If you are looking for ultramodern furniture, this might not be the place for you; but there is a good variety of styles and finishes available. They also specialize in garden furniture, so you can find seating sets, dining tables, sun chairs and so many more!
When I left America, I had to leave my beloved World Market table and chairs, they were just too bulky to bring them all the way to Playa del Carmen. In Temozon I had the same table and benches that had cost me thousands in America, made by Mayan artisans with locally sourced wood. The cost of the table and two benches to the exact specifications and measures from the World Market web site, was of 3,900 pesos which to today’s exchange rate translates to about $295.00 USD.
It would be great to bring a Spanish speaking friend, so you don’t get the “gringo special prices” and can explain or haggle if necessary. Make sure to have photos and measurements in metric system of the furniture you need and to see samples of their work, it is customary for made to order furniture to pay 50% in advance. Make sure you get a receipt and all the contact details of the person building your furniture.
If you visit Temozon, do not leave without visiting the nearby archeological site of Ek Balam, and trying the traditional Temozon delicacy: smoked pork! A platter with smoked pork, beans, rice and salad with plenty of handmade tortillas sells for about 50 pesos, we always take friends and family and everyone loves this meat!
Now if you have any question of this or any of the TOP MEXICO REAL ESTATE properties we have listed in Playa Del Carmen, The Riviera Maya or anywhere throughout Mexico, please feel free to contact any of our TOP MEXICO EXPERT SALES TEAM and we will be glad to help you find your very own piece of paradise.
And remember, here at TOP MEXICO REALESTATE…
We make it happen!
